Oman Hosts 2nd Omani Afro-Chinese Business Forum to Boost Investment and Trade

Salalah (ONA): The second edition of the Omani Afro-Chinese Business Forum launched today in the Wilayat of Salalah, organized by the “Business Forum” in a strategic partnership with Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI).

The event features the participation of a number of investors and business owners from the Sultanate of Oman, the People’s Republic of China, and a number of Horn of Africa countries, running for two days.

The opening of the forum was held under the auspices of Eng. Ahmed Hassan Al Dheeb, Deputy Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ).

Mustafa Abdul Qadir Al Ghassani, representative of the Omani-Chinese Friendship Association, delivered a speech in which he pointed out that light of the economic and developmental renaissance experienced by the Sultanate of Oman, and its strategic location connecting Asia and Africa, it possesses significant assets to serve as a platform for enhancing tripartite cooperation among Oman, China, and Africa, in line with the targets of Oman Vision 2040, while simultaneously keeping pace with the growing opportunities offered by African markets and the continuous development in the Omani-Chinese partnership.

He added that the future of Omani-African-Chinese cooperation holds vast opportunities, particularly for new generations who possess the capacity to innovate and forge partnerships that transcend traditional boundaries, noting that investing in people, knowledge, and cultural connection is no less important than investing in the economy and infrastructure.

For his part, Majid Said Akaak, Chairman of the Forum’s Organizing Committee, explained that this forum represents a strategic meeting point that unites the interests of the three parties and their economic integration, combining Chinese technological industries, the Sultanate of Oman’s distinguished geographical and logistical location, and African markets with high population densities, while affirming the deeply rooted historical trade and diplomatic relations between the Sultanate of Oman, China, and Horn of Africa countries.

He indicated that among the main goals of the forum is attracting investment and localizing African capital, as a group of investors was attracted to transfer their commercial and investment operations to the Sultanate of Oman, with the presence rate of investors from Horn of Africa countries rising by more than 400 percent compared to the past two years prior to the launch of this forum, according to recent official figures and statistics.

In the same context, Abdul Wali Bashir, representative of the African delegation and member of the forum, highlighted the importance of trade and investment partnerships among business owners and the continuous pursuit toward exploring promising opportunities in the markets of participating countries. The forum witnessed the inauguration of the forum’s website, which offers a range of electronic services and packages that contribute to facilitating intra-trade between the Sultanate of Oman and Horn of Africa countries in multiple languages.

The forum’s opening also included the presentation of two working papers. The first paper, presented by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, addressed the importance of the transport and logistics sector as fundamental pillars of the business, trade, and investment ecosystem, and their role in promoting trade flow and connecting markets, ports, and economic zones.

The second paper was presented by the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones on its economic and logistical assets and strategic location that enhances investment and trade opportunities.

The forum’s proceedings continue through panel discussions, bilateral business meetings, and field visits to a number of economic institutions and sectors in Dhofar Governorate, enabling participants to discuss areas of cooperation, build partnerships, and explore investment opportunities directly.